PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND BIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. /
BY ABDUL SALAM M B BADAR ; SUPERVISOR ASST. PROF.DR. EMMANUEL MSHELIA HALILU
- 45 sheets : photos ; 30 cm + 1 CD-ROM
Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Pharmacognosy
Thevetia peruviana have been used for its cardiotonic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. The current study is aimed to evaluate the pharmacognostic and biological activities of Thevetia peruviana leaf extract. The study is further designed to evaluate some microscopic features, physicochemical, phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the leaf extract. The microscopic analysis was conducted with the aid of the microscope. The physicochemical analysis was done using standard methods. The phytochemical test for the tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and other metabolites were carried out using standard methods. The DPPH assay was used to evaluate the free radical scavenging activity. The antibacterial activity was carried out using the disk diffusion method. The microscopic study revealed the presence of paracytic stomata surrounded by subsidiary cells and multicellular glandular trichomes. The moisture content was 18.5%. The petroleum ether, alcohol and water-soluble extractive values were 20%, 25% and 25% respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and triterpenoids. The leaf extract of Thevetia peruviana showed antibacterial activity on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zones of 10.6 mm and 9.66 mm, respectively. The free radical scavenging activity demonstrated by the extract was expressed in terms of the IC50 where the extract had IC50 of 0.142 mg/mL and the ascorbic acid had IC50 of was 0.0296 mg/mL. The antibacterial and free radical scavenging activities demonstrated by the extract have validated the use of the plant for treatment of the claims of the use of the plant in traditional medicine.